20 DreamWorks Animation Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, DreamWorks Animation is looking for candidates who are passionate about animation and storytelling. The company often asks questions that are specific to the animation industry, so it’s important to be prepared to answer them.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

DreamWorks Animation Interview Process

The interview process at DreamWorks Animation can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a take-home assignment or presentation. Overall, the interview process is generally pretty extensive and can take several weeks to complete.

1. Why do you want to work at DreamWorks Animation?

This question can help the interviewer determine whether you have done your research on the company. It is important to show that you are passionate about working for this organization and understand what it offers its employees.

Example: “I want to work at DreamWorks Animation because of the innovative projects they produce. I am a huge fan of their films, and I think it would be amazing to be part of such an exciting team. I also love how much emphasis the company places on creativity and teamwork. I feel like my skills as a designer and animator would be a great fit here.”

2. How would you describe your experience with animation software?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with animation software and how you might fit into their company. If you have previous experience using DreamWorks Animation’s software, describe it in detail. If you don’t have any experience, explain what animation software you’ve used before and why you’re interested in learning more about DreamWorks Animation’s software.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of animation software throughout my career. I started out working with Flash when I was a student at CalArts, where we learned to use Flash for both 2D and 3D animation. After graduation, I worked as an animator for a small studio that primarily used Toon Boom Harmony for its projects. While there, I also learned to use Adobe Animate.”

3. Do you have any experience working as a technical director for an animated film?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working on a film crew. If you have worked as a technical director, describe the responsibilities of the role and how they helped you develop your skills in animation.

Example: “I’ve worked as a technical director for two animated films at my current company. In this role, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of production, including managing the budget, hiring staff members and ensuring that the animators completed their work on time. This position taught me how to manage large projects and collaborate with other team members.”

4. What skills, knowledge, and abilities do you think are necessary to be successful in the role of a production assistant at DreamWorks Animation?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a realistic idea of what it takes to succeed in your role. You can use this question as an opportunity to highlight any relevant experience or skills you may have that would help you be successful in this position.

Example: “I think that being organized and detail-oriented are two important skills for success in this role. I also think that having strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential to success in this role because you will be communicating with many different people throughout the day. Finally, I think that creativity is an important skill to have because you will be working on creative projects.”

5. Describe a time when you had to prioritize multiple projects at once. How did you decide what to focus on first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experience to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a graphic designer, I had multiple projects going at once. One of my clients was in need of a new logo design while another client needed a website redesign. I decided to focus on the website redesign first because it would be more beneficial for both clients if they could use their new websites sooner rather than later.”

6. Tell me about a time where you worked with a difficult or stubborn coworker.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenges at work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked with a difficult coworker and the steps you took to resolve the situation or improve your relationship with that person.

Example: “In my last role as an animator, I had a coworker who was very critical of my work. This made me feel like I wasn’t doing my job well enough, but I knew that if I wanted to advance in my career, I would need to learn from his feedback. So, I asked him for more details about what he didn’t like about my work so I could make improvements. He agreed to meet with me one-on-one to discuss my work, which helped us develop a better working relationship.”

7. At DreamWorks Animation we value creativity and innovation. Give us an example of how you were innovative in your last job.

DreamWorks Animation is a company that values creativity and innovation. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to be innovative in your work, which can help them determine if you are a good fit for their organization. In your answer, try to provide an example of how you were able to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to come up with new ideas or solutions.

Example: “At my last job, I was tasked with creating a new character design for one of our animated films. I knew that I wanted to create something unique, so I started by researching other characters from different cultures around the world. After looking at many different types of characters, I came up with the idea of combining several elements from various cultures into one character. The end result was a character that was very well received by both children and adults.”

8. What is your favorite animated movie?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new coworker. It can also help you determine if they have similar tastes in movies as the company’s audience.

Example: “My favorite animated movie of all time is The Lion King. I remember watching it for the first time when I was five years old and being completely mesmerized by the story, music and characters. I’ve seen it countless times since then, but I still love it just as much as I did that first time.”

9. Talk to us about your passion for animation.

This question is a great way to gauge your passion for the animation industry and how you can contribute to DreamWorks Animation. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have an in-depth knowledge of the animation process and what makes it unique.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about animation because I love seeing stories come to life on screen. It’s fascinating to see how animators use their skills to create characters and worlds from scratch. In my last role as an animator, I was responsible for creating character movements and facial expressions using keyframes. This allowed me to bring my ideas to life while collaborating with other artists.”

10. What tools would you use to create 3D animations?

This question can help the interviewer understand your animation skills and how you would apply them to their company. Use examples from your experience that show you have a strong understanding of 3D animation software.

Example: “I’ve used several tools in my previous roles, including Autodesk Maya, which is one of the most popular 3D modeling programs for creating characters, props and sets. I also use Softimage, which is another 3D modeling program that’s great for animating objects and scenes. Finally, I use Adobe After Effects for compositing and editing animations.”

11. When have you been asked by a manager to complete a project that was outside of your scope of responsibilities? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations. Use examples from your experience where you were able to complete a task outside of your normal responsibilities, but still met the expectations of your manager.

Example: “In my previous role as an animator at a small animation studio, I was asked by my manager to create some background art for one of our upcoming projects. While this wasn’t something that I normally did, I accepted the challenge and learned how to use different software programs to create backgrounds for characters in the film.”

12. We value team players here at DreamWorks Animation. Tell me about a time you worked on a project with someone else.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with others and collaborate. It’s also a chance to demonstrate how you can be a team player in the workplace.

Example: “I worked on a project for my college class where I had to create a short film that was at least five minutes long. My partner and I were assigned characters, but we got to choose everything else about our movie. We decided to make it a comedy because we both enjoy laughing. We wrote the script together, chose all of the music and sound effects, and even designed the costumes. In the end, we received an A+.”

13. In which area of animation would you like to be involved in?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the animation industry and how you can contribute to DreamWorks Animation. If you have experience in one area, it’s also a good idea to mention what other areas you’re interested in learning about.

Example: “I would love to be involved in character development because I find that process so interesting. It’s fascinating to see how an artist creates a character from scratch and then animates them into a fully-formed being. I’m also very interested in storyboarding because I think it’s important to know the entire production process before getting started.”

14. Have you ever worked with people from different countries before? How did you manage communication?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers and how they work together. If you have worked with people from different countries before, share an example of how you managed communication.

Example: “I’ve worked with people from all over the world at my previous job. We used Google Translate for basic questions and conversations. For more complex issues, we would use our phones or computers to video chat so that everyone could see each other and communicate effectively.”

15. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. When answering this question, think about what you feel are your greatest strengths as well as the areas where you could improve.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work under pressure. I am always able to meet deadlines and complete projects on time. My weakness is that sometimes I can get distracted by small details when working on larger projects. This has improved over time, but I still need to make sure I stay focused.”

16. Provide an example of when you worked under pressure to meet a deadline.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you met a deadline and the positive results that followed. This can show your ability to work under pressure and achieve goals.

Example: “In my last position as a graphic designer, I was tasked with creating a logo for a new company in two weeks. The client wanted to use the logo on their website and social media accounts immediately after launch. I worked hard to meet the deadline by designing multiple logos until I found one that the client liked. They used the logo on all of their marketing materials and launched their business within the two-week period.”

17. We need our interns to be self-motivated. Are you comfortable working independently?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you’re a self-starter and how much guidance you’ll need from your supervisor. Use examples of past experiences where you’ve been successful working independently to answer this question.

Example: “I’m very comfortable working independently, especially when I have clear instructions on what’s expected of me. In my last internship at an advertising agency, I was tasked with creating social media content for several brands. My supervisor gave me general guidelines about what types of posts they wanted to see and let me create them however I saw fit. This helped me develop my creativity and learn more about the industry.”

18. What are some difficulties you might face while trying to coordinate the efforts of many individuals working on the same project?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might handle working in a team environment. Use examples from your past experience to show that you’re able to work well with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked as part of a large marketing team where we had to coordinate our efforts to create content for several different brands. One challenge was making sure everyone understood their roles and responsibilities so they could complete their tasks by the deadline. Another challenge was ensuring that all members were communicating effectively so we could resolve any issues before they became major problems.”

19. How would you approach designing a website for a new product launch?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to create a user-friendly website. Use examples from previous projects that highlight your creativity and attention to detail.

Example: “I would start by researching the target audience for the product, as this can help me determine what information I should include on the site. For example, if the product is geared toward children, I may want to use bright colors and fun graphics to engage them. Next, I would create wireframes of the website using software like Balsamiq or Axure. This step helps me organize my thoughts and ensure all elements are accounted for before moving forward with development.”

20. What kind of management style do you prefer?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your management style aligns with that of their company. It’s important to be honest about what kind of manager you are and how it could benefit the organization.

Example: “I prefer a collaborative management style where I work alongside my team members to solve problems and make decisions. This approach allows me to get input from everyone on the team, which helps me understand different perspectives and find solutions that work for everyone. In my last role as an art director, this management style helped me create more innovative projects because I was able to incorporate ideas from all of my team members.”